HONOLULU – The new look Chaminade University men's basketball team with 12 new players to this year's squad, made their season debut in Friday's opening round of the Outrigger Hoops in Hawai'i Tip-Off Classic at McCabe Gymnasium.
 
The Silverswords nearly overcame a 16-point first-half deficit but ended up coming up short in their 103-101 loss to the University of Tampa.
 
Kanaan Holder (Hudson, Texas/University of Arkansas Fort Smith/Hudson HS) had 22 points, including four 3-pointers, for the 'Swords while Sam Sivulich (Ogden, Utah/Snow College/Northridge HS) added 18 points and eight rebounds.
 
Bruce Carpenter (Fayetteville, Ga./Gannon University/McIntosh HS), one of the three returnees from a year ago but was sidelined due to an injury, donned a Chaminade uniform for the first time and hit 6-of-8 shots for 16 points. Ryan Raad (Los Angeles/College of Southern Nevada/Crescenta Valley HS) helped out with 15 points.
 
James LaFrance led the Spartans with 17 points.
 
CUH had its largest deficit of 16 three times including just 30 seconds into the second half. The 'Swords chipped away at the deficit and Holder drilled a 3-pointer with 11:19 left to give them their first lead at 78-77.
 
But Tampa rallied back to retake the lead. Chaminade had two chances to tie or take the lead with a minute remaining but both shots failed to find its mark.
 
The 'Swords hit 48.6 percent of their shots, hitting 10 triples and feasted on the free throw line, making 23-of-33 shots from the charity stripe while the Spartans were just 4-of-12. Chaminade had 40 rebounds, 19 assists and 14 steals while Tampa made 53.2 percent of its field goals, making 15 3s, 42 boards, 16 assists and 10 thefts.
 
The Silverswords will play in the consolation bracket and face Winona State in the tournament's second day. Tipoff at McCabe Gym is scheduled for 3 p.m.